Tall oaks from little acorns grow

Today, more than 2,000 high school students in the Newport-Mesa

School District will receive their high school diplomas -- one of

those students is mine. Congratulations, class of 2003.

The magnitude of the day seems almost impossible for our graduates

to fathom at this point in their lives. When they shift the tassel on

their mortarboard, they also begin shift into adulthood. High school

graduation is a time for celebration and a time for reflection filled

with nervous anticipation.

They’ve climbed a mountain, and even though they have bigger

mountains to climb, today they laugh, cry and endure parents taking

dozens of photos to capture the moment in time when they belong to

two worlds.

As the saying goes, “you can’t step in the same river twice,” life

flows on, and we need to flow with it.

As parents, we shared playgroups when they were babies, we cried

on the first day of kindergarten, we cried on the last day of

kindergarten, we prayed when they got their driver’s license, we took

pictures of them with their first love.

We’ve been the best friend they’ll ever have, and sometimes in

their eyes, the worst enemy. We hope that we have given them the

skills to heal their own hurts and to right the wrongs in their path.

We hope that we have taught them grace and strength of character that

will carry them through life’s adversities.

As my children grow up, I find that I have grown up, as well. I

have had the opportunity to face my fears by helping them face

theirs. I’ve had to explain things to them that were never explained

to me. I’ve had to be strong even when I felt weak. I’ve had to let

them struggle, though it caused me pain to watch.

I’ve learned that family is the greatest blessing you can have.

I’ve learned that the choices I make are only right for me and not

others. I’ve learned that it’s not the destination but the journey

that counts.

Today, we commemorate childhood’s last rite of passage. To those

who have walked the path with us, thank you. Carpe diem.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.